RFI for 300 Light Tanks (Wheeled and Tracked)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR LIGHT TANKS WHEELED AND
TRACKED FOR INDIAN ARMY

1. The Indian Army is in the process of acquiring light tanks for use in semi
mountainous and mountainous regions in the North and North East, developed and
semi developed terrain in the Western borders and in the island territories.

2. The requirement is of approximately 200 light tanks (wheeled) and
approximately 100 light tanks (tracked). The information may please be provided in
detail in reply to the Request for Information:-

(a) Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) status of the equipment.

(b) Names of the firms, if any, that have been authorised by the OEM to
deal with the Indian MoD.

(c) Level of technology that the firm would be willing to transfer to a firm
that will be nominated by Indian MoD.

(d) Any other relevant inputs.

3. Two questionnaires giving specific inputs for the light tank wheeled and
tracked are given in Appendix A and B respectively. A Performa to be filled by the
vendors is attached as Appendix C.

4. The vendors are requested to respond to the RFI by 30 October at the
address given below:-

Director General of Weapons and Equipment (WE-8/9),
General Staff Branch,
Room No 208G, South Block,
IHQ of MoD (Army)
DHQ PO, New Delhi -110011

5. Inputs can be provided by Fax on No 0091-11-23793274 and by email ID: [email protected].

Army is planning to acquire 300 light tanks for deployment in the mountainous regions of the border with China and Pakistan, a move seen as part of efforts to beef up capabilities on the frontiers.
Process for acquisition of the tanks has been initiated with the Request for Information (RFI) being issued for the same. The tanks are intended to be deployed in the mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir in the north and Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the north-east, army sources said.
The tanks are expected to weigh around 22 tonnes and be capable of operating at heights of over 3,000 metres in hilly terrain, they said. The light tanks are being considered for deployment as part of mechanised force in the high altitude regions as heavy tanks cannot reach there, they said.
The army wants the tanks to be able to penetrate highly protected armoured vehicles and Main Battle Tanks of the enemy from a distance of more than two kilometres and also be able to fire high explosive anti-tank shells and guided missiles.
Conventionally, tanks are deployed only in plains and it is very rare to station such armoured detachments in mountainous areas. Heavy tanks face problems in mobility as narrow and spiralling roads make their movement very slow and the bridges there are also not built to bear those heavy loads of above 40-45 tonnes, they said.

On Sep 24 the Indian Ministry of Defence also issued a Request for Information (RFI) for 300 Light Tanks of which 200 will be wheeled and 100 will be tracked. The diesel-engine tanks will be deployed in High Altitude Areas above 3,000m and will be capable of operating in mountainous, semi-developed terrain. The amphibious tanks are expected to be capable of destroying bunkers and "soft-skin vehicles" at ranges up to 3km and also against attack helicopters and low flying fixed wing aircrafts.

India has a substantive civilian automobile sector. issue rfps to the private sector. ask them to field their preferred foreign partner and propose an Indian tailored version according to army staff requirements. select 2-3 contractors as finalists based on proposal. ask those joint venture companies to come up with prototypes. Then select a final tank and build it locally this is how u may prop up the private sector into the defense industry. if the defense psu puts up a model of its own, valuate it on par with private proposals and issue the contract to the best design.
this would also ensure strategic atonomy.

India first seriously need to improve its infrastructure in North East rather then directly deploying this Light Tanks. Since most the theaters were some border conflict is highly likely is either marred by lack proper road and communication channels. The Army post that is deployed on frontline is highly dependent upon Transport assets for supply. At the same time, to reach some of the posts, Army men need to several days of trekking which is highly dangerous to meet enemy fight with much greater impact.

India first seriously need to improve its infrastructure in North East rather then directly deploying this Light Tanks. Since most the theaters were some border conflict is highly likely is either marred by lack proper road and communication channels. The Army post that is deployed on frontline is highly dependent upon Transport assets for supply. At the same time, to reach some of the posts, Army men need to several days of trekking which is highly dangerous to meet enemy fight with much greater impact.

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This is because the Indian army is afraid of the spill-over if they cannot hold their defences. The Indian Army has had this fear for a very long time. Military grade roads cannot be destroyed easily also. The Indian army is still reliant on multi terrain vehicles and airlift when it coes to the North-east.

This is because the Indian army is afraid of the spill-over if they cannot hold their defences. The Indian Army has had this fear for a very long time. Military grade roads cannot be destroyed easily also. The Indian army is still reliant on multi terrain vehicles and airlift when it coes to the North-east.

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The Policy that you have mentioned above regarding spill-over, is one the biggest reason for the destructions of many indian forward posts during 1962 war. Most of those post were literally inaccessible and never been accessed anytime before and consequently those forward post become death trap, as IA couldn't provide them with ammunitions. Most of those brave soldiers rather become the victam of starvation, lack of oxygen on higher terrain, lack of clothing meant for winter and whatever the supplied came through the air drop smashed the surface as parachute couldn't opened properly and subsequently forward posted soldiers make up for only 30% whatever supply came in from air drop. Rather the procuring this 300 light tanks, we need to look for tactical stretegy to avoid fighting on our territory and rather bring it the same to enemies terrirtory. :tank:

October 04, 2009 16:17 ISTThe Army is planning to acquire 300 light tanks for deployment in the mountainous regions of the border with China and Pakistan, a move seen as part of efforts to beef up capabilities on the frontiers.

Process for acquisition of the tanks has been initiated with the Request for Information being issued for the same. The tanks are intended to be deployed in the mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir [ Images ] in the north and Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the north-east, army sources told PTI. The tanks are expected to weigh around 22 tonnes and be capable of operating at heights of over 3,000 metres in hilly terrain, they said.

The light tanks are being considered for deployment as part of mechanised force in the high altitude regions as heavy tanks cannot reach there, they said. The army wants the tanks to be able to penetrate highly protected armoured vehicles and Main Battle Tanks of the enemy from a distance of more than two kilometres and also be able to fire high explosive anti-tank shells and guided missiles. Conventionally, tanks are deployed only in plains and it is very rare to station such armoured detachments inmountainous areas. Heavy tanks face problems in mobility as narrow and spiralling roads make their movement very slow and the bridges there are also not built to bear those heavy loads of above 40-45 tonnes, they said.

At present, the only mountainous region in India where tanks are deployed is the 'Finger Area' in Sikkim along the China border. The army has been maintaining a squadron of heavier T-72 and T-55 tanks here since mid-80s.

'Finger Area', a few kilometre tract, has been known to have witnessed incursions by Chinese army. In one such incident last year, Chinese troops had threatened to destroy a structure of stones erected by India there. India had protested the Chinese aggression and the matter was raised at the flag meeting between the two armies.

India has also strengthened defences in the 'Finger Area' by converting its positions into a permanent post to keep watch over troop movements. The army earlier used to send in only regular patrols and had a few traditional defensive positions in the area.

China has made rapid strides in building infrastructure close to border with India. Viewing the developments with concern, India has also lately started matching up by improving roads and other transportation network. The last Army Commanders' Conference held here recently discussed the issue of infrastructure building along the China border, including a proposal to lay a railway line.

Defence Minister A K Antony made it clear earlier this week that efforts were being made to bolster capabilities along the China border. "Just as China is doing, we are also trying to strengthen our capabilities in our part of the country. Earlier, we were not doing anything but in the last few years, our government is also strengthening our capabilities in our areas by strengthening Army, Air Force and the infrastructure," he said.

On Sep 24 the Indian Ministry of Defence also issued a Request for Information (RFI) for 300 Light Tanks of which 200 will be wheeled and 100 will be tracked. The diesel-engine tanks will be deployed in High Altitude Areas above 3,000m and will be capable of operating in mountainous, semi-developed terrain. The amphibious tanks are expected to be capable of destroying bunkers and "soft-skin vehicles" at ranges up to 3km and also against attack helicopters and low flying fixed wing aircrafts.

would these so called light tanks offer any significant advantage over ifv's?.......... mobility and weight of ifv will fall in desired range , it is tobe seen what difference in firepower will this light tank has to offer

would these so called light tanks offer any significant advantage over ifv's?.......... mobility and weight of ifv will fall in desired range , it is tobe seen what difference in firepower will this light tank has to offer

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these r just like Upgraded IFV or ICV or APC's with powerful gun and best defences.
these can amphibious too.

The Policy that you have mentioned above regarding spill-over, is one the biggest reason for the destructions of many indian forward posts during 1962 war. Most of those post were literally inaccessible and never been accessed anytime before and consequently those forward post become death trap, as IA couldn't provide them with ammunitions. Most of those brave soldiers rather become the victam of starvation, lack of oxygen on higher terrain, lack of clothing meant for winter and whatever the supplied came through the air drop smashed the surface as parachute couldn't opened properly and subsequently forward posted soldiers make up for only 30% whatever supply came in from air drop. Rather the procuring this 300 light tanks, we need to look for tactical stretegy to avoid fighting on our territory and rather bring it the same to enemies terrirtory. :tank:

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good point ,but i would want you to know tht buildng roads and train links is not the job of army ,it is th GOI job's which we can all see they are taking it very lightly

i thought we stopped using light tanks since 71 war may be. Is there even a thing called light tank in 21st century?

or do they mean Infantry fighting vehicles with a more powerful gun.

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Light tanks tend to be smaller, faster, and lighter vehicles, and cheaper to produce. The weight of a 'light' tank increased markedly during WWII. For example, the M24 Chaffee was a purpose-built light tank of late WWII, but weighed more than the Panzer III, a mainstay medium tank from 1939-43 but obsolete at the time the Chaffee was introduced. Some light tanks are able to move over land rapidly compared to heavier tanks and are maneuverable through obstacles such as jungle thickets, while maintaining lethality against enemy infantry. The Imperial Japanese Army exploited this ability of their light tanks during the Battle of Malaya. However, many other light tanks are no more mobile than their heavier cousins, in part because the emphasis on economy meant they often were powered by standard light truck engines rather than the larger, heavier, but much more powerful medium tank engines.

Light tanks were quite common at the start of World War II, being the main element of German, Polish and French formations in the Polish and French campaigns, but during the war were relegated to reconnaissance roles because of the increasing firepower of tanks and anti-tank weapons. Some were amphibious, and some, like the Tetrarch, were small enough to be airlifted to battle. They were often preferred over armoured cars for scouting. The Soviet Union even built an experimental winged tank which ultimately was never put to practical use.

The USSR experimented with giving infantry units detachments of light tanks (e.g., the T-70) to provide armoured support. The idea was a failure because the tanks' armour was readily penetrated by German anti-tank weapons, and their firepower was inadequate for fighting other tanks or destroying field fortifications. They were replaced in this role by the SU-76 self-propelled gun.

The French WWII-era light tank (Char Léger) types differed from other nations' light tanks of the period. Since they were intended to be used for infantry support rather than scouting, they were slower than most light tanks, giving it the weaknesses of the type, but with heavier armour. The French intended the AMR scout tanks (Automitrailleuses de Reconnaissance) and armoured cars (Automitrailleuses de Combat) for scouting and light combat roles.

Since WWII, light tanks have continued in the reconnaissance role, thanks to their modest cost and potential for amphibious capabilities, but have been supplemented by infantry carriers and armoured cars in many roles.

Guys according to this news article US will be bringing their Stryker armored carriers to India for the "Yudh Abhyas" ,thats what the exercise is called.
From the looks of it can this be the reason why the army released the the requirement for light tanks prior to the exercise with US.As the era of light tanks ended few decades ago,may be army intend for more weaponised ACV's.

Also guys what happened to the light tank made by DRDO on BMP-ll chassis with 105mm gun .

DRDO has developed a light tank based on BMP-II chassis with 105 mm turret (GIAT industries, France). This
vehicle is aimed to carry high caliber weapons without sacrificing the strategic or tactical mobility. Mechanical
integration of turret with chassis, stability during firing, and compatibility of 105 mm Indian Armour Piercing Fin
Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) ammunition with turret have been established during the trials.